Daesh rebels continue to get equipment: Achin residents

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Residents of the Achin district of eastern Nangarhar province say Daesh (Islamic State) rebels continue to receive support, with the result that the militant group is regaining strength with each passing day.

At a meeting, residents shared their problems with Pajhwok Afghan News. Most of them complained the government had banned the delivery of food items to civilians instead of the IS insurgents.

Mullah Jan Shinwari, a tribal leader from the area, claimed Daesh rebels were still being supplied through Momand Dara. But the provincial authorities including security organs did not prevent the supplies, he said.

He said they had shared the issue with the district chief, police head and the governor. Unfortunately, he lamented, the authorities restricted supplies to civilian instead of Daesh.

“Daesh fighters are equipped and supplied via Momand Dara. We have established check-posts in the district to prevent supplies to the militant-infested area,” the elder added.

If proper attention was not paid to dealing with the issue by government, not only Daesh would be strengthened but residents would also swell the IS ranks, he warned.

Another resident, Shamsul Haq said if the government did not take serious action against the insurgents, most of youths would join them as a result of poverty and unemployment.

He grumbled jobs had not been created for youths while many schools had been destroyed. There are inadequate health services and civilian houses have been razed, but the government has been unconcerned.

Absent deterrent action, he feared, the insurgents might overrun the district near the Durand Line.

Governor Mohammad Gulab Mangal acknowledged the issue, charging the militants were being supplied from across the border.

“Daesh rebels and other terrorist groups are apparently funded, equipped and supplied from across the Durand Line, and it was used to done and will be continue,” he said.

The governor urged Pakistan and other countries to stop supporting terrorist groups in Afghanistan; otherwise the rebel activities would affect them as well.